BLACK/DARK/LIGHT IN AFRICAN TRADITION (2)

Because “Black” designates the African ultimate in Spiritual Perfection, Ancient Africans proudly called themselves “Black People.” “Black’s” word origin is African, from the Ethiopian word Celeno (King, African Origins p29) and has been used by Africans in Asia and Europe pre-dating the Indian Sanskrit name ‘caeruleus yamas,’ meaning “black.” European Sanskrit borrowed the term “Black” from African populations that migrated to India many thousands of years earlier. Ancient Africans said ‘the Black’ reflects the primordial state of existence, before anything was created and thus is not really a color but rather the absence of all colors. Although “Black” (Fr. Noir; Ger. Schwars) is popularly regarded as a distinct color, Ancient Africans knew that strictly speaking “the Black,” like “white,” is absolutely destitute of color while absolute “Dark” is absolutely destitute of light. “Black” absorbs light waves while “white” reflects it. A European dictionary defines “black” as the quality or state of the achromatic colors (white, black, grays) of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)—constituting the lower limit of the gray or the achromatic series. It is the complement to and an antagonist of white. All objects absorb some color and reflect some, but black objects reflect the smallest proportion. Blackness, not Darkness, allows the perfect reception of all wavelengths of energy. Physically, Black is the meaning of the KAM root of Chemistry—the study of life’s building blocks. Life is founded upon Carbon—the Black element present in all living matter. Black carbon atoms, with other atoms link to thereby form Black Melanin, which has “Black-Hole” properties (like those found at the center of the galaxy). In physics, a “Black Body”—at work in the Electron–is known to be a perfect absorber and perfect radiator of all forms of light and energy. Electrons–responsible for all chemical changes in matter—have been present since the creation of the Cosmos.

Melanin has allowed hominids to survive millions of years and evolve into Black skinned humans—out of which all other races derived. Although there are no ‘pure’ Black or White people, the variation in colors of humans’ bodies are the result of hemoglobin within the blood vessels of the skin and melanin. The basis of pigmentation is in 2 forms—eumelanin (brown-black in skin) and phaeomelanin. Skin color depends on the size and distribution of Melanosomes (which produce melanin), defenders against radiation damage such as skin cancer) as well as the metabolic activity of Melanosomes and tyrosinase. Melanin and Melanosomes are in major organs (e.g. heart, lungs, liver, lymph nodes) and in the Central Nervous System–including its membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord—in proportion to the amount of melanin found in the skin (Kittles, J. Black Studies, 1995). Because of Black People’s high concentration of melanin, they hold the key to discoveries of Sacred Mysteries once known only by early Africans. One reason is they have more interest in loving Blackness as an integral part of African cultural identity and human-ness. If the color black had not been the sign of slavery, Black culture would not be the torchbearer of freedom.

“Dark”–a loose generic term used figuratively (metaphorical, symbolic) and literally (most obvious meaning)—spans a range from the complete absence of light to dimness to varying degrees of mixed or partial or shaded light. Something is considered “dark” if it cannot be seen through. African Sages said Black is associated with the Soul that comes from Darkness and passes to Light. African Griots (story-tellers) elaborated on this by saying to the people that Black indicates dawn, before sunrise and the state of searching. Just as there is an awe in watching the black flower blossom as it may, or watching the black swan fly, they could relate both to the coming out of the “Dark” every morning into the brilliant and creative sun god-light, beauty, gold giving or imparting happiness, perfume, nectar and ambrosia; right, good, and truth. Thus, Unconditional Love is African Black. These Superior People knew an increase in knowledge and power-derived from such spiritual undertakings and that their actions were always in harmony with every other like-kind event in the world. This process, leading to resurrection and eternal life, follows the direction of the Life-Force which functions on Divine (Cosmogonical) Law and is generated out of ones Real Self (Amen Vol. I:101, 162). In short, Black indicates the un-manifest and the potential. jabaileymd.com